Energy Crisis and Potential in Bangladesh

The present energy crisis in Bangladesh is partly due to over-dependence on gas which fulfils more than 70 per cent of its energy needs. The present gas deficit against the national demand on a daily basis is expected to increase further in the future. The crisis will deepen unless a greater share of indigenous coal is included in the energy mix. The geological and social constraints of an over-populated fertile agricultural land area remain an obstacle to large-scale coal mining and this has to be addressed rationally. In the absence of other immediate energy options, the potential of the country to address its energy problem lies in full-scale gas exploration and coal exploitation programmes, both of which are yet to mature. Bangladesh should also look for energy cooperation with its neighbours for energy trade and energy infrastructure development.